Pet waste recovery, storage and disposal apparatus

ABSTRACT

A pet waste recovery and disposal apparatus, including a reusable soft-sided container in the general construction of a sleeve, having a closable top and a closable bottom adapted to receive a disposable bag therein, said disposable bag, in a preferred embodiment, having a closure means, such as a drawstring to close the top of the bag. A further embodiment of the invention includes the reusable soft-sided container in combination with the disposable bag having a drawstring closure means, the reusable soft-sided container having a second aperture through which the ends of the drawstrings of the disposable bag are threaded, the disposable bag having its inside surface outwardly exposed when the reusable soft-sided container is in the right side out position and the disposable bag being in the interior of the reusable soft-sided container when in the reusable soft sided container is in the wrong side out position. The reusable soft-sided container is washable and stylish and has, on an outside portion thereof, a pocket adapted to receive at least one unused disposable bag.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a portable container for recovering,storing and disposing of wastes, particularly pet or animal waste.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known for pet owners to collect their pet's waste in disposablebags and to dispose of the bags at an appropriate location. This isnormally done as soon as possible for hygiene and comfort reasons. Somepublic places are provided with waste bins specifically designated forpet or animal waste. However, many public places do not have designatedwaste bins or any form of waste bin. Owners who collect their pet'swaste in a disposable bag have to carry the disposable bag until thewaste can be disposed of in a waste bin. This is inconvenient andunhygienic. Further, many pet owners find the experience of collectingwaste to be unpleasant due to the sensory experience attendant tocollecting semi-solid waste using only a thin film disposable bag. As aresult, frequently, owners do not collect their pet's waste. Failure tocollect pet wastes is illegal in many public places.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a pet waste recovery, storage anddisposal apparatus. An exemplary embodiment of the present inventionincludes a reusable soft-sided container in the general construction ofa sleeve, having a closable top and a closable bottom, as more fullydescribed herein, adapted to receive a disposable bag therein, saiddisposable bag, in an preferred embodiment, having a closure means, suchas a drawstring to close the top of the bag. A further embodiment of theinvention includes the reusable soft-sided container in combination withthe disposable bag that is positioned, when in use, in the interior ofthe reusable soft-sided container. The reusable soft-sided container iswashable and stylish and has, on an outside portion thereof, a pocketadapted to receive at least one unused disposable bag and a leashattachment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention including thefeatures, advantages and specific embodiments, reference is made to thefollowing detailed description along with accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front of the reusable soft-sidedcontainer of the present invention, showing the pocket for holdingunused disposable bags;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the reusable soft-sided container of thepresent invention in the right side out position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the back of the reusable soft-sidedcontainer of the present invention in the wrong side out position withthe top open;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the reusable soft-sided container of thepresent invention in the right side out position in operation showingthe disposable bag in the inside out position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the reusable soft-sided container of thepresent invention in the right side out position in operation with thewaste being retrieved into the interior of the disposable bag;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the front of the present invention inthe wrong side out position with the drawstring of the reusablesoft-sided container and the disposable bag closed; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the present invention showing thedisposable bag being released from the reusable soft-sided container ofthe present invention.

References in the detailed description correspond to like references inthe Figures unless otherwise noted. Like numerals refer to like partsthroughout the various Figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

While the making and using of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated thatthe present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts whichcan be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. Some features ofthe preferred embodiment shown and discussed may be simplified orexaggerated for illustrating the principles of the invention.

The present invention comprises a pet waste recovery, storage anddisposal apparatus. An exemplary embodiment of the present inventionincludes a reusable soft-sided container in the general construction ofa sleeve, having a closable top and a closable bottom, as more fullydescribed herein, adapted to receive a disposable bag therein, thedisposable bag, in a preferred embodiment, having a closure means, suchas a drawstring to close the top of the bag. A further embodiment of theinvention includes the reusable soft-sided container in combination withthe disposable bag that is positioned, when in use, in the interior ofthe reusable soft-sided container.

Reference is now made to the different views of the present invention100 of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front ofthe reusable soft-sided container 101 of the present invention in thewrong side out position, showing the pocket 105 on the wrong sidesurface of the front panel 101A for holding at least one unuseddisposable bag 108. Leash attachment 102 and drawstring 103 are locatedproximate the top edge of reusable soft-sided container 101. Leashattachment 102 is coupled to the right (as in correct) side surface ofback panel 101C of the reusable soft-sided container, preferably with asnap mechanism 106. The snap mechanism is about 7/16″ in size.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the reusable soft-sided container 101 ofthe present invention in the right (as in correct) side out position,exposing in this view, the right side surface of the front panel 101Band wrong side surface of back panel 101D of the reusable soft-sidedcontainer 101. FIG. 2 represents the starting position of the reusablesoft-sided container 101 when it is to be used. The reusable soft-sidedcontainer 101 must be in this position, with flap 301 closed, on theinterior of the reusable soft-sided container 101, in order to installdisposable bag 203, and thereafter to retrieve the waste.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the back of the reusable soft-sidedcontainer 101 of the present invention in the wrong side out positionwith the top open and illustrating the wrong side surface of the backpanel 101D and the right side surface of the front panel 100B. As morefully described herein, flap 301 and flap tab 302 are adapted to closethe bottom portion of reusable soft-sided container 101.

The reusable soft-sided container is washable and stylish and, as seenin FIG. 1, has, on the front outside panel thereof, a pocket 105 adaptedto receive at least one unused disposable bag 108. The reusablesoft-sided container 101 is preferably made of a plurality of layeredpanels having outer and inner surfaces 101A, 101B and 101C and 101D,respectively, of nylon weave, or similar resilient fabric, having aclosure means at the top, such as a drawstring 103 and a flap 301 (seenin FIG. 3) at the bottom thereof. The flap 301 is adapted, when foldedacross the bottom of the reusable soft-sided container 101, to cover thebottom of the reusable soft-sided container 101, the flap 301 having afastening means 701 (seen in FIG. 7) adapted to couple it to the backoutside panel 101D of the reusable soft-sided container such as hook andloop, Velcro closure, hole and button or zipper and the like. There is aflap tab 302 attached to the flap 301 for facilitating the opening ofthe bottom of the reusable soft-sided container 101 so as to release thedisposable bag 203 from the interior of the reusable soft-sidedcontainer 101.

An attachment means 106, such as a snap mechanism or button, locatedproximate the top of the reusable soft-sided container 101 is adapted toaccept a leash attachment 102. The reusable soft-sided container 101 isadvantageously constructed so that the warmth and texture of the wasteis greatly attenuated when the user is retrieving it, and so that thesmell of the waste is substantially contained in the enclosed reusablesoft-sided container 101 while it is being carried. To use the presentinvention, disposable bag 203 is placed into the interior of thereusable soft-sided container 101. The drawstring 401 of the disposablebag 203 is pulled through an aperture 104, preferably being a buttonhole, in the reusable soft-sided container 101, the aperture 104 beinglocated approximately halfway across the front panel of the reusablesoft-sided container and between the top edge and bottom edge of thefront panel 101A, 101B of the reusable soft-sided container 101.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the reusable soft-sided container 101 ofthe present invention in the right side out position in operationshowing the disposable bag in the inside out position, illustrating theposition of the inner surface 203A of the disposable bag 203 havingdrawstring 401. When waste is to be retrieved, the end of the reusablesoft sided container 101 that is closed by flap 301, is pushed up insideof the reusable soft sided container 101 to form a pocket to accept theclosed end of disposable bag 203. Referring back to FIG. 2, seam labeled204 contributes to reforming the reusable soft-sided container 101 toaccept the disposable bag 203, when the reusable container is in theclosed position. It is noted that with respect to FIG. 4, if thedisposable bag is removed, the length of the reusable soft sidedcontainer is about 0.72 of the length shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. This isbecause the “missing” portion of the reusable soft sided container 101is folded up inside of the reusable soft sided container 101. In thismanner, a portion of the surface of the interior of the disposable bag203A is outwardly exposed. Referring to FIG. 4, to retrieve the waste,the user places their hand inside the top opening of reusable soft-sidedcontainer 101, such that their hand is in contact with the folded,inwardly exposed surfaces 101A, 101D of the reusable soft-sidedcontainer 101. The user then places the bottom of the reusablesoft-sided container 101, lined with the disposable bag 203, on top ofthe waste, as seen in FIG. 4. As can also be seen, leash attachment 102can be used to secure the present invention to a pet leash.

The user can then retrieve the waste. FIG. 5 is a perspective view ofthe reusable soft-sided container 101 of the present invention in theright side out position with the waste being retrieved into the interiorof the disposable bag 203. In this view, it can be seen that thedisposable bag drawstring 401 has been pulled through button hole 401 ofthe reusable soft-sided container 101. As seen therein, the waste is incontact with the surface of the outwardly exposed, interior surface 203Aof the disposable bag 203. The feel of the waste is attenuated due to athickness of layers of the panels comprising the reusable soft-sidedcontainer 101 being between the user's hand and the waste.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the front of the reusable soft-sidedcontainer 101 of the present invention in the outside out position withthe drawstring 103 of the reusable soft-sided container and thedrawstring 401 of the disposable bag closed. As seen in FIG. 6, once thewaste has been collected, the user turns the reusable soft-sidedcontainer 101 wrong side out and right side in, thereby returning theinterior surface 203B of the disposable bag 203 inward. The user canthen pull the drawstring 401 on the disposable bag 203 which has beenpulled through the aperture 104 and the drawstring 103 proximate the topof the reusable soft-sided container 101, so as to close the disposablebag and the reusable soft-sided container 101.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the reusable soft-sided container 101 ofthe present invention showing the flap 301 being released from itsfasteners 701 and disposable bag 203 being released from the reusablesoft-sided container 101 of the present invention for disposal. As seenin FIG. 7, to release waste, the user pulls the tab 302 on the flap 301while holding the present invention over a waste receptacle. Theinterior dimensions of the present invention are such that thedisposable bag 203 is easily separated from the reusable soft-sidedcontainer 101. As can be seen, the user is not exposed to the disposablebag 203 that holds the waste after the waste is retrieved. The reusablesoft-sided container 101 can be easily attached onto a leash.

To better understand the unique features and functionality of thepresent invention, a description of the construction of the reusablesoft-sided container 101 of the present invention is provided. Anexemplary embodiment of the present invention is constructed of a 1.9ounce nylon rip stop fabric, ⅛″ width nylon cording, ¾″ diameterVelcoin™ closures, and a one snap closure (size 4 with about a ½″diameter). To ensure smooth operation of the positioning of thedisposable bag 203 in the reusable soft-sided container 101 and therelease of the disposable bag 203 from the reusable soft-sided container101, preferably, the fabric is initially dimensioned approximately asfollows: a 25″×9½″ piece for the front panel 101A, 101B of the reusablesoft-sided container 101 (which panel portion includes the flap 301portion) and 17½″×9½″ for back panel 101C, 101D of the reusablesoft-sided container 101. The fabric of the leash attachment 102 isinitially dimensioned approximately 7″ by 2″. The drawstring 103 of thereusable soft-sided container 101 is about 26″ and the flap tab 302 isabout 3″.

To construct the front panel 101A, 101B, the top and bottom edgesthereof are turned in and coupled, such as sewn, about ¼″. The sides ofthe front panel 101A, 101B are turned in about 2″ toward the center atthe top and tapered to about ¼″ seam at the bottom of the front panel101A, 101B such that the uncompleted front panel 101A, 101B measuresabout 7 ½″ at the top tapering down at an angle, to about 9″ across atthe bottom with the length of the uncompleted front panel 101A, 101Bmeasuring about 24½″. The seams prevent the fabric from fraying andprovides stability and form to the reusable soft-sided container 101. A1″ aperture 201, comprising a buttonhole for the drawstring of thereusable soft-sided container 101 is made about ½″ from the bottom, inthe center. Another 1″ aperture 104, also comprising a buttonhole ismade about 3½″ directly above the first buttonhole for the drawstring401 of the disposable bag 203.

Next, the tapered top is folded over 9″ and the edge coupled, e.g.,sewn, closest to the second aperture 104 comprising a buttonhole. Theleft and right side edges should not be sewn down as this portion willconstitute the pocket 105 for the at least one unused disposable bag 108(as seen in FIG. 1). The fold also adds a layer of fabric to the frontpanel 101A, 101B so as to attenuate the feel of the waste. Theadditional layer of the panel 101A, 101B further is adapted to createthe stiffness needed to form the reusable soft-sided container 101 forreceiving the disposable bag 203 without sacrificing one-handedfunctionality of the present invention.

Next, the left corner of the new top edge of the front panel 101A, 101Bwhich is thusly formed is folded over approx. 1″ and then again ½″. This½″ fold is performed twice and then coupled, e.g., sewn. This fold andcoupled, e.g., sewn procedure is then repeated with the right corner.Next, the top edge of the front panel 101A, 101B is folded down ½″ twiceand coupled, e.g. sewn. The coupling could be performed with acontrasting color of thread to create a stylish look in the finishedproduct. With regard to functionality, this construction createsstability for the closed end of the reusable soft-sided container 101.

Flap tab 302, as seen in FIG. 3, is made with a 3″ piece of cording bysewing it onto the edge proximate the top of the reusable soft-sidedcontainer 101, in the center of the front panel 101B. The loop shouldstand up about 1 inch away from the edge of the top of the back panel101C, 101D. This loop arrangement enables the end to be opened with onehand when disposing of the waste.

With regard to the back panel 101C, 101D, a ¼″ hem is made all of theway around the back panel fabric. This prevents the fabric from frayingas well as creating stability for the reusable soft-sided container. Thetop 6″ of fabric is folded down and sewn on the bottom edge. This foldadds a layer of fabric, which contributes to the ability of the reusablesoft-sided container 101 of the present invention to attenuate the feelof the waste. The additional layer also helps to form the reusablesoft-sided container 101 for the disposable bag 203. The back panel101C, 101D should measure about 11″ in length and 9″ in width.

To assemble the back panel 101C, 101D and front panel 101A, 101B of thereusable soft-sided container 101, the right sides of fabric 101B, 101Care brought together, and the bottom edges of the front panel 101A, 101Band back panel 101C, 101D aligned so that they are even and only thesides of the back panel 101C, 101D and front panel 101A, 101B coupled,e.g., sewn together. This construction results in the basic form of thereusable soft-sided container 101, with the top and bottom open.

The reusable soft-sided container 101 should then be turned right sideout and coupled, e.g., sewn sides again, for example, using French seamson both sides. These seams are then folded towards the center of theback panel 101C and the outside edges of the seam fastened (e.g., sewn)down. This could also be performed with a contrasting color of thread tocreate a designer look in a finished product. The seams enable theclosed reusable soft-sided container 101 to maintain its shape withouthampering its ability to be turned inside out with one hand.

Next, the drawstring casing 107 (as seen in FIG. 1) is made by foldingthe bottom of the reusable soft-sided container 101 over ½″ and coupling(e.g., sewing) all of the way around, making sure the aperture 201,e.g., buttonhole, is in the fold of the casing 107. This could beperformed with a contrasting color of thread to create a designer lookin a finished product. The drawstring 103 is then inserted throughaperture 201, e.g., buttonhole, and pulled through the casing 107 andthe ends of the cords knotted with knot 109 to prevent the drawstring103 from pulling out of the casing 107.

Three inches (3″) of the front panel 101A, 101B, comprising flap 301,which has the 3 tapered, coupled, e.g., sewn edges, are then folded overtowards the back of reusable soft-sided container 101. Taking care notto sew the front and back pieces together, a ⅛″ seam is made on thefold, use the contrasting thread color for appearances. This seam isadapted to cause the flap 301 of the reusable soft-sided container 101to close in the correct position.

Fasteners 701, such as three ¾″ circular, Velcoin™ fasteners as seen inFIG. 7, can then be fastened to the under side of the edges of this flap301. For example, the first fastener can be placed in the center edgeand the other two about an inch away on either side on the wrong sideout surface of the back panel 101D of the reusable soft-sided container101. The front panel 101A, 101B of the reusable soft-sided container 101is folded over and the corresponding Velcoin™ fasteners attached to theright side out surface of the front panel 101B.

The reusable soft-sided container 101 is then turned right side out.About 8 inches down from the drawstring edge, the top of the reusablesoft-sided container is folded inward. A ⅛″ seam 204 is then made all ofthe way around this fold using contrasting colored thread. This seamhelps form the reusable soft-sided container 101 for the disposable bag203, when the reusable soft-sided container 101 is in the closedposition. It also maintains the form for the reusable soft-sidedcontainer 101 and provides the stiffness necessary to open the reusablesoft-sided container 101 and retrieve the waste.

The leash attachment, 102, is made as follows: The 7″×2″ piece of fabricis folded in half in a vertical direction and then sewn closed at thetop and side. Turn this inside out and fold the opening overapproximately ½″ and sew. One one edge of this attachment is then sewnto the drawstring side of 101D. The attachment preferably is located inthe center, just above the drawstring casing. A snap closure can then becoupled to each end of the leash attachment.

The disposable bag 203 is made to be flexible. The disposable bag 203may be formed of plastics, for instance polyethylene, having adrawstring 301 proximate the top edge of the disposable bag 203. Thegeneral dimensions of an exemplary disposable bag are about 8¼″ wide byabout 10″ long. An unused disposable bag 108 may be removed from thepocket 105 by pulling the bag through the opening.

The reusable soft-sided container 101 according to the present inventionhas the advantage that it provides a closable soft-sided container forthe collection, storage and disposal of pet waste. By having layers ofpanels, a pet owner does not have to experience the unpleasant sensoryfeeling of collecting the waste.

To those skilled in the art to which this invention relates, manychanges in construction and widely differing embodiments andapplications of the invention will suggest themselves without departingfrom the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Thedisclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and arenot intended to be in any sense limiting.

1. A pet waste recovery, storage and disposal apparatus, comprising: areusable soft-sided container in the general construction of a sleeve,having a closure means adapted to close the top thereof and a closuremeans adapted to close the bottom thereof, the reusable soft-sidedcontainer adapted to receive a disposable bag therein.
 2. The pet wasterecovery, storage and disposal apparatus of claim 1, wherein thereusable soft-sided container is constructed of a front panel includingat least one layer of a resilient fabric and a back panel including atleast one layer of a resilient fabric, the front panel being coupled tothe back panel along their respective side edges, the front panel andback panel having a tapered shape along a portion of their side edges.3. The pet waste recovery, storage and disposal apparatus of claim 2,wherein the closure means proximate the top of the reusable soft-sidedcontainer comprises an enclosed casing having a drawstring there throughand a first aperture through which the ends of the drawstring arepulled.
 4. The pet waste recovery, storage and disposal apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein the closure means proximate the bottom of the reusablesoft-sided container comprises a flap adapted to be fastened withfastening means to the outer surface of the back panel of the reusablesoft-sided container.
 5. The pet waste recovery, storage and disposalapparatus of claim 2, in combination with a disposable bag having adrawstring closure means, the reusable soft-sided container having asecond aperture through which the ends of the drawstrings of thedisposable bag are threaded there through.
 6. The pet waste recovery,storage and disposal apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first apertureand second aperture comprise button holes.
 7. The pet waste recovery,storage and disposal apparatus of claim 6, adapted to be turned rightside out to collect waste, and once the waste is retrieved, turned wrongside out to contain the waste within the disposable bag, within thereusable soft-sided container.
 8. The pet waste recovery, storage anddisposal apparatus of claim 7, the disposable bag being closable via adrawstring mechanism and being positioned, when having been used, in theinterior of the reusable soft-sided container.
 9. The pet wasterecovery, storage and disposal apparatus of claim 2, the front panel andback panel of the reusable soft-sided container being made of nylon ripstop fabric.
 10. The pet waste recovery, storage and disposal apparatusof claim 2, further comprising a pocket for holding unused disposablebags, the pocket being located on a wrong side surface of the reusablesoft-sided container.
 11. The pet waste recovery, storage and disposalapparatus of claim 10, further comprising a leash attachment meanscoupled proximate the top of the reusable soft-sided container.
 12. Anapparatus for recovering pet waste, comprising a reusable soft-sidedcontainer in the form of a sleeve, having a closable top end andclosable bottom end, the reusable soft-sided container adapted toreceive in the interior thereof, a disposable bag.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 12, in combination with a disposable bag.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 13, further having a drawstring closure means proximate the top ofthe reusable soft-sided container, a flap closure means proximate thebottom of the reusable soft-sided container, and a drawstring closuremeans proximate the top of the disposable bag.
 15. The apparatus ofclaim 14, wherein the flap closure means comprises a hook and loopfastening means.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, adapted to be turnedright side out to receive animal waste and wrong side out to contain theanimal waste within the interior of the disposable bag contained withthe reusable soft-sided container.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16,further including a leash attachment means having coupling means tocouple the leash attachment to the reusable soft-sided container. 18.The apparatus of claim 17, reusable soft-sided container beingconstructed of a front panel and a back panel, each such panel beingconstructed of a plurality of layers of nylon rip stop fabric.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 18, wherein the reusable soft-sided container has anopen diameter around the top edge thereof and around the bottom edgethereof, and the disposable bag has an open diameter around the open topedge.
 20. A pet waste recovery, storage and disposal apparatus,comprising: a reusable soft-sided container in the general constructionof a sleeve, having a closure means proximate the top thereof and aclosure means proximate the bottom thereof, the reusable soft-sidedcontainer adapted to receive a disposable bag therein, the reusablesoft-sided container being constructed of a front panel comprised of atleast one layer of fabric coupled along the side edges to a back panelcomprised of at least one layer of a fabric; the closure means proximatethe top of the reusable soft-sided container comprising an enclosedcasing having a drawstring there through and a first aperture throughwhich the ends of the drawstring are pulled; a disposable bag having adrawstring closure means, the reusable soft-sided container having asecond aperture through which the ends of the drawstrings of thedisposable bag are threaded, the disposable bag having its insidesurface outwardly exposed when the reusable soft-sided container is inthe right side out position and the disposable bag being in the interiorof the reusable soft-sided container when in the reusable soft sidedcontainer is in the wrong side out position; the closure means proximatethe bottom of the reusable soft-sided container comprising a flapadapted to be fastened with fastening means to the wrong side outsurface of the back panel of the reusable soft-sided container; a pocketfor holding unused disposable bags, being located on the wrong side outsurface of the reusable soft-sided container; and a leash attachmentmeans coupled proximate the top of the reusable soft-sided container.